#sywald

Magic is the manipulation of the world, and worlds, through the use of the magic language of Genlim. Using Genlim mages, wizards, witches, and warlocks to create, manipulate, destroy, or alter the world. 

The easiest way to use magic is to manipulate the four basic elements, fire, earth, wind, and water. From using either individually or in combinations a mage can attack his foes, alter the landscape and elements, defend his friends, and many other things. If a mage becomes more proficient they can learn to manipulate more than the basic elements. One such element is whats called spirit magic. It involves manipulating the souls, spirits, and spiritual energies to accomplish things like soul wandering, spirit rending, and when combined with the basic elements it can also make healing spells more effective. There is also the magic art of necromancy. While illegal in places it is accepted amongst mages. Mages can also summon beings from other planes of existence. While powerful creatures and other worldly beings can be very helpful and useful if they are not controlled they can wreak havoc across the world. 

Magic is not something that is easily or readily mastered. It takes years of study, practice, and even then a mage is limited to their life essence. Magic drains a mage physically and mentally. The more magic or, more complex the magic, the more it drains the mage. It becomes harder to focus and reach the magic and eventually they will collapse. However a person can enhance their magical capabilities in a number of ways. The most common way is simple practice. Like almost anything in life practice will allow a mage to perform magic for longer and more complex spells. Mages will often compare running to practicing magic. If a person runs a lot or more they will be able to run farther and faster with time. Magic works on the same idea. 

Mages are constantly trying to learn more about magic. They conduct experiments, tests, and new ways of combining magic. This can lead to great new improvements to magic but it can also create horrible mishaps that cause catastrophes. 

The history of the Council of Harmonious races is a story that began as a way to increase trade and has become an attempt at a world in which the races are united. 

The Council began as a group of elven and human merchants who wished to increase trade amongst their peoples. The group sought to teach members about the other race to reduce risks of breaking customs. Eventually an elf by the name of Pengonar came to power in the council. He had big ambitious ideas. Pengonar pushed to communicate with the governments of the elves and humans to have them agree to common rules. Rules such as a common currency, decreased tariffs, helping each other keep the roads clear of bandits and keep them in good condition, and just general better relations. Pengonar elevated the Council, which he renamed to the Council of Harmonious Races, from a simple group of merchants to a group that wielded considerable influence and power. Pengonar pushed to include the other races, of dwarves and orcs, in the Council. He was met with harsh resistance and never lived to see the other two races brought into the Council. Eventually Pengonar's followers were able to convince the rulers of the races to include the dwarves and orcs into the Council. The dwarves came reluctantly, they generally wished to stay away from the world preferring the safety of their mountain homeland. The orcs pushed and petitioned to become a part of the Council, the nations that had joined experienced significant increases in trade. Eventually and reluctantly the other races agreed that it would be good to include the race often considered to be the most barbaric as a way to try and civilize them. The Council saw no reason to include the goblins due to the fractured nature of goblins and the fact that many people look down at goblins. 

Throughout all of this the Council gained power and prestige. Eventually the races began to use it as a government that went across all races and governments. The Council elected laws, rules, and regulations that all the races and nations would follow. Most of the rules adopted were already in practice, such as murder and robbery being illegal, some however were quite revolutionary. The Council sought to bring the nations and peoples together and has passed several laws outlawing discrimination based on race. Unfortunately the Council relies on other governments to enforce their rules. This leads to many laws being lazily enforced. 

Elves- The elves were brought forth from the pure lake of Loressea by the goddess Udduca. Udduca wished to see what creatures with a heightened sense of awareness and intelligence could do. She created elves from Loressea and because of the pureness of the water elves are very pure themselves. They seldom get sick and are long lived. Elves worship Udduca by creating art out of the natural world. 

Dwarves- The dwarves were carved from the mountains of Sharbardush. Originally the god Medar only wished to carve little figurine statues. Medar was a master craftsmen and a perfectionist. He would create a statue and then after a time become frustrated with it and create another. Eventually Medar grew frustrated with always trying to create new statues and decided to breathe life into them. Thus were the dwarves born. Being made from stone dwarves are heavier than they appear and have denser bones. Their small stature was due to Medar making the dwarves as figurines. Dwarves consider their mountain homes sacred and as safe as a womb. 

Humans- Humans were molded by the goddess Crohana sister to Udduca. Crohana was jealous of her sister's elves. Trying to copy the creation process Crohana used clay to shape her creations. While failing to create something as long lived or graceful as the elves Crohana did create humans. Using the clay allowed a large variety and diversity of humans as well as being able to adept quickly. 

Orcs- Orcs were created by the god Vo-Tec. Vo-Tec loved to see the interactions of all creatures and eventually he wanted to add more creatures into the mix. Vo-Tec would alter existing creatures to create new ones. Some of Vo-Tec's creations were the pegasi, griffons, sphinxes, and other creatures. Finally Vo-Tec wished to create something more than beasts thus did he create the Orcs. Orcs were altered from humans and some animals merged and altered together. Because of the beast in them Orcs tend to be closer to animals and more ferocious. Many other races look down on the Orc culture as savage and barbaric. 

Chapter 1

              The stars were bright. Or perhaps it was simply the darkness of a night lacking a moon, a deep velvety darkness. It was a perfect darkness to hide in. Which was the exact reason he and his warriors were out. This was the night they would strike. They were the first strike. The Elder Ones had trusted him to lead the first charge. It was an honor to be able to draw the first blood. His people would forever remember him as the one who started the war. It was what he had always wanted, to be able to conquer and be remembered for all time. Death held no fear to him, what was death if he was forever immortalized? Best of all he pleased the Elder Ones.

            He looked left and right seeing his warriors lined down either side of him. They formed a semi-circle around the target. It was a dwarven caravan, stinking dwarves. He hated dwarves. He was not alone in this among his warriors and the hatred would simply drive them to fight fiercer. Dwarves were the race he hated the most. They were loud, short, and cowardly. Always hiding in their mountain city fortresses, fleeing into them at the first sign of real danger. Stinking dwarves.

            A runner was coming from the edge of the formation. He was hurrying over, quickly but silently. Surprise was still on their side and he wanted to wait till the last minute before announcing their presence. It would be quite the announcement.

            “The troops are ready and awaiting the signal, sir” rasped the scout.

            All was ready. Decades of preparation and hiding in secret and now the world will know of us. What we are capable of and our goals. This night has motivated his people for years and now it was here.

            “Good, resume your place” he replied, hiding his excitement and joy. It would not do to let his emotions run wild. He slowly drew his sword, the troops seeing the commander draw his weapon did likewise anticipating battle.

            “Light the signal,” he whispered to a the mage next to him. The mage spread his hands and recited some words in the language of magic. It was all gibberish to the commander. Then the tree burst into an orange blaze of brilliance and he could feel the heat of it from where he stood several yards away. “Remember attack quickly and that we honor the Elder Ones with our victory!” he shouted. The war cries sounded and then the sounds of slaughter. The dwarves had believed themselves safe and secure, his troops were the first lesson that was not the case.

            The battle, more of a slaughter, was over quickly. None had escaped and now his troops were burning the wagons. His troops were disappointed, they had trained and hoped for a fight and were disappointed by how easy this had been.

            “Do not lose heart, the speed and ease that we carried this out with shows the strength of our training and our people! This is just the beginning soon we will challenge the might of the great dwarven fortress cities! These fights are a ways off but we must be prepared. Learn what you can from tonight and stay vigilant. The Elder Ones will be pleased to hear of our success. The taste of victory is in the air and this is only the beginning!” To emphasize these words his tongue darted out and tasted the air around him. It smelled of death, blood, fire, and victory.

            His troops shouted and banged their weapons upon their shields. They were ready, they were eager, and they were bloodthirsty. The conquest had begun.